China Vows to Increase Farmers' IncomeChina will make a major bid to ensure that farmers' income be increased in the next five years, according to Minister of Agriculture Chen Yaobang.He made the remark at the National Work Conference on Agriculture that ended January 5. The growth of farmers' income shrank annually in the past five years although their earnings rose a year-on-year 5.4 percent in the first four years, the official said. Chen noted that the growth of farmers' income will greatly affect the implementation of the government's demand-stimulating policy, as 800 million farmers form a huge rural market vital to the country's domestic demand. The government will give priority to farmers in the central and western regions and grain-producing areas as well as those with low income, he added. Marketing will be further introduced into the agriculture industry and farmers are encouraged to engage in the processing and service sectors so that they will enjoy more opportunities to earn money, while the government works to develop more villages into small towns. The Chinese Government will increase investment in infrastructure projects in rural areas in an effort to improve farmers' living conditions and production environment as well as make the rural market more open to the outside. |
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